9:42 PM,
Jan. 1, 2014

Raven Designs double-size hammock is constructed in Western North Carolina from U.S. materials exclusively for Black Dome Mountain Sports.

Written by

Edwin Arnaudin,

When Trent Thomas came to Asheville in 1976, the hammock business was practically nonexistent. Over the past five years, however, the Black Dome Mountain Sports owner started noticing a different story.

"They've become so popular. You see them at concerts, festivals, etc. My son spent more time in a hammock this year than in a tent," Thomas said.

Despite this boom, large tent manufacturers such as North Face and MSR had yet to produce their own hammocks. With an eye on this growing market, Thomas looked for a chance to fill that niche and was soon met with a promising opportunity. ...